“Nov 21, 2024 - Redeeming the Past”

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Redeeming the Past

Reading:  1 Timothy 1:12-20
    
    Paul is frank with Timothy about his past.  “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent”(1 Tim 1:12-13).  Paul has not forgotten the shameful things he did prior to his conversion; he still considers himself “the foremost” of sinners (1 Tim 1:15).  Yet because of Jesus, his evil is not the end of the story.  He “received mercy” and “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me” and Jesus “judged me faithful”(1 Tim 1:13, 14, 12).  Now his story only confirms that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”(1 Tim 1:15).  Paul’s regret over what he has done drives him to praise and serve Jesus.  Now his past becomes part of the gospel he preaches.

    So Paul encourages Timothy to “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”(1 Tim 1:18).  Not everyone’s story has the happy ending Paul’s does.  “By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme”(1 Tim 1:19-20).  As much as Paul is a good example for Timothy, these men are patterns to avoid.  They “have made shipwreck of their faith.”  In the ancient world, shipwrecks were utter disasters.  Cargo was destroyed, ships were damaged, and lives were lost.  Shipwrecked faith implies a hopeful beginning that later turns terrible.  Paul’s words are both a sad commentary on the lives of Hymenaeus and Alexander and a sharp warning to Timothy:  a good beginning does not guarantee a good ending.

    We cannot change the past, but Jesus can redeem the past.  He can take our mistakes and misfortunes and turn them into something powerful and useful.  He can forgive our sins.  He can use our past to help us relate to others.  He can transform our pain into a warning.  He can mold us into stronger, deeper people.  He can use us for ministry to others.  What Jesus has done for Paul gives us encouragement for how we deal with our past and hope for how Jesus will redeem current hardships and use them for good.

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One Thing to Think About: What temptations or challenges might lead me to make shipwreck of my faith?

One Thing to Pray For:  Faith and a good conscience 
 

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